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She is talented yet her turbulent life has often threatened her career. She had a bumpy marriage with Rockford “Roki” Josphats and gave a sad tale when the union crumbled. She has worked with many musicians and exhibited her talent. She has not lived up to her potential, but Pauline Gundidza tried to hide the sadness embedded in her eyes behind a catchy smile as she spoke to our Entertainment Reporter Kumbirayi Shoniwa in an interview below:
Kumbirayi Shoniwa (KS): What are you doing these days Pauline?
Pauline Gunidza (PG): I am still with Mafriq. We have new songs including “Ende Kende” produced by Ngoni Ritala and “Zambuko” produced by Roki. I also have a few solo tracks lined up including “What a Girl Needs” with Mbale of Raw Music, “Waiona” featuring Roki and “Not my Will” with Symbiz Sound and Take Five. We also have a studio in Mabelreign called Mafriq Music Factory which I administer with Discord as producer.
KS: Ok that’s great. Anything else?
PG – Several in fact. I am now well versed in playing the mbira which I started learning at the Convent where I attended high school. I then received lessons in “nyunga nyunga” from the late Taku Mafika. I also learnt the “nhare” through Peter Makalanga, Discord’s father.
I am currently continuing with “nhare” lessons with Tapiwa Gora from Sunningdale who is also a mbira manufacturer. My father used to play mbira in his youth so it is in my blood. Chiwoniso Maraire is my biggest source of inspiration.
KS: Are you not doing anything besides music?
PG: I am writing a children’s book called “The Boy who Carries the Wind” which is about a boy who makes a huge difference in his community. I don’t want to pre-empt the story but it is a book that should make any child feel like they can make a difference. It comes with a sound track and if it fares well we are taking it to the big screen.
KS: You launched a project to assist single mothers. How is the project going?
PG: I am working on a home group with other women who are single-handedly raising their children. We have a partner called Hannah Rose Daycare which is my sister Tariro Gundidza’s project.
The organisation serves to empower and appraise single mothers through moral support, income generating projects and human rights advocacy.
KS: How is your personal relationship with the father of your children, Roki?
PG: Roki and I are still happily divorced, working on being friends and always finding ways to do what is best for our daughters Skye and Minana.
KS : You did a song on cancer with Maskiri and Mzimba. What inspired you to do it?
PG: There is a history of cancer in our family so it has always been a cause for concern especially considering the fact that I had my first child at a very young age. Maskiri and Mzimba are my friends and we decided to do the project together because we all have our different experiences with the illness, whether directly or indirectly. We cannot sing for fun all the time, sometimes we have to bring out life’s issues to the forefront for public debate and pro-action.
KS: Where do you see Urban Grooves going, and what do you say to those who say Zimdancehall is overshadowing other genres?
PG: It’s all about cultural diversity because we all sing about the things that relate to us as individuals in our preferred genres. Keep it up Zimdancehall Popopopopo! They cannot overshadow Urban Grooves the same way we cannot outdo sungura or jazz. We all learn to work together and the aim is to unite not divide.
KS: Pauline, thank you very much for your time. I wish you all the best in all your endeavours in the coming year and beyond.
PG: Thank you.
Online Reporter